Blind spots are very dangerous. Blind spots are even more dangerous when it’s your car that is in someone else’s. The primary reason for Defensive Driving Rule #4 is to keep you out of that dangerous situation. If we don’t make ourselves visible to other cars by staying out of their blind spots then we will greatly increase the chances of being knocked off course when that car decides to change lanes.
I believe this principle applies in leadership as well. We need to visible to our team. You may be familiar with the term Management by Walking Around (MBWA). In short, MBWA simply means you invest time with the people on your team in their work enviornment. By doing this you will get to ask questions, answer questions and see things you wouldn’t otherwise see while you sit in your office. This is not a time to micro manage, it is a time to go to where your team is and serve them where they are. Check out a these two articles on MBWA (1) (2).
Another important reason for a leader to be visible to their team is so that the team will see them following rules 1, 2 and 3.
I have heard it said, “people do not do what you expect, they do what you inspect.” I know that deadlines must be met and expectations adhered to, but I don’t fully buy into that philosophy of leadership. I believe that to have sustained motivation in those we lead we must employ a philosophy of “people will do what they see their leader doing“.
Great leaders don’t dictate they lead by example. I think that is the way Jesus led those around him. If that is true then a leader must be visible.
